Malcolm Proud (harpsichord)

English Suite No 3 - Bach

Prelude and Fugue in B flat (`48', Bk II) - Bach

French Suite No 4 - Bach

On Sunday afternoon, in this third recital of the Bach Festival 2000, Malcolm Proud captured the individuality of suites and showed how varied Bach's concept of the suite could be. The titles French and English offer few pointers, for they did not originate with Bach. Each collection includes suites which press high-art stylisation towards its limits, and others which are comparatively straightforward.

In this recital, the first category was represented by the English Suite No 3 in G minor. Its sophistication was underlined by its rich ornamentation and by the way in which Proud used lots of well-timed rubato to explore twists of direction. The French Suite No 4 in E flat came across as it is - a much simpler, beautifully direct collection of dances.

The recital also offered three very different types of prelude. The French suite opened with a short, improvisatory movement, rarely played. The English Suite has a large, Italianate prelude in concerto style. Larger still is the first movement of the Prelude and Fugue in B flat from Book II of the 48 Preludes and Fugues. There was no shortage of insight in the playing. Add that to the top-flight music, and you had a winning occasion.

The Bach Festival continues every Sunday until March 12th. For information phone 01-6778872